Daily Word

For it would have been better for them never to have known the way of righteousness than after knowing it to turn back from the holy commandment delivered to them. What the true proverb says has happened to them: “The dog returns to his own vomit, and the sow, after washing herself, returns to wallow in the mire.” 2 Peter 2:20-22. Be it prophet, teacher, or convert when their behavior returns to their old sinful way of life it shows their knowledge of Christ and the way of righteousness was only superficial, and their conversion illusory. Those who are truly regenerate will persevere in the faith. Having been washed clean what area in your life are you returning to wallow in?

Daily Word

These are waterless springs and mists driven by a storm. For them the gloom of utter darkness has been reserved. For they speak loud boasts of folly, they entice by sensual passions of the flesh those who are barley escaping from those who live in error. 2 Peter 2: 17-18. Just as water sustains physical life, so true spiritual teaching nourishes spiritual life. A dry well will only disappoint the thirsty, like a false teacher will only deceive and disappoint the student. Those who never search the word for themselves like new converts fall prey to false teachers. Are you deceived by the glamorous well and the well kept bucket only to find yourself dehydrated and thirsty in life?

Daily Word

For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but cast them into hell and committed them to chains of gloomy darkness to be kept apart until the judgment; if He did not spare the ancient world, but preserved Noah, a herald of righteousness, with seven others, when He brought a flood upon the ungodly; 2 Peter 24-5. We live today as if the Judgment of God does not or will not exist, and many want to blanket everything with the “love of Christ” as if that will make everything just go away. However, the judgment of God will come and many who are deceived today will learn the fate of the ungodly as told of history past.

Weekend Quote

God is not satisfied until there exists between Him and His people a relaxed informality that requires no artificial stimulation. The friend of God may sit in His presence for long periods in silence. Complete trust needs no words of assurance. ~ A.W. Tozer

Daily Word

And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of the truth will be blasphemed. And in their greed they will exploit you with false words. Their condemnation from long ago is idle, and their destruction is not asleep. 2 Peter 2:2-3. Immoral behaviors by those who claim to be Christians give Christianity a bad name among believers. Christians are called to exemplary behavior so that the cause of the gospel will not be hindered. Is your life promoting or hindering the cause of the gospel?

Daily Word

And we have something more sure, the prophetic word, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shinning in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts, 1 Peter 1:19. Peter is saying that the prophetic word of scripture is a more solid proof than even the experience of witnessing the transfiguration (based on vs.18). The Word is the lamp that brings light into the darkness that continues in our flesh. We must diligently pay attention to the “sure prophetic” word until that day when it will be superseded by the full revelation of Christ’s return. How diligent are you keeping applying the word in your life?

Daily Word

For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty, 2 Peter 1:16. Interestingly the word myth(s) is always used negatively in the New Testament. Today it could be used much the same way. If churches relied more on the power and coming of Christ than they do on entertaining people with all the worldly bells and whistles that are used to get people in the doors. Maybe we would have a greater impact in both our communities, and the world as a whole.

Daily Word

Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to make your calling and election sure, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall. 2 Peter1:10. God’s choice of the elect is certain regardless of how you feel. His Assurance comes through the Holy Spirit’s work in your life. His promise of salvation is to those who have a genuine, preserving faith. True faith preservers to the end and will bear fruit. Looking back over the virtues previously posted which one(s) are you failing to bear fruit from?

Weekend Quote

There are two reasons for loving God: no one is more worthy of our love, and no one can return more in response to our love. ~ Bernard Clairvaux

Weekend Quote

We do not need to go ‘somewhere” to find God, any more than the fish needs to soar to find the ocean or the eagle to plunge to find the air. ~ Rufus Jones

Daily Word

For if these qualities are yours and increasing, they keep you from being in-effective and unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 1:7. If we fail to recognize the significance of these virtues listed in verses 4-7, and how important each one plays out building upon the other. Our relationship with Christ will never amount to much more than that of being a simple acquaintance and our Christian walk will lack the effectiveness and fruit which demonstrates our salvation. Which virtue will you look deepest at and build upon today?

Daily Word

For this reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and Knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with Godliness, and Godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. 2 Peter 1:4-7. We are to demonstrate towards one another the family affection among believers as brothers and sisters in God’s family. Faith is the starting point in a Christian’s life and love is the preeminent fruit of the Christians life. Notice how these virtues begin and end.

Daily Word

For this reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and Knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with Godliness. 2 Peter 2:5, 6. Knowledge is useless to us if we lack the wisdom to its application. To stand unwavering often times requires self-control. Again…obedience is the glue here to which we bind these virtues together that make Godliness possible in our lives. In what area do you need to apply a little more glue to today?

Daily Word

For this reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, 2 Peter 2:5. Too many folks today have been deceived into thinking that a little prayer prayed, and showing up to a church once a week qualifies them as Christian. Moving forward from the previous two scriptures we see that we must add MORAL EXCELLENCE to supplement our faith, and with that moral excellence we are to continually add knowledge. It is in our obedience through knowledge that we are able to stand in His righteousness, and walk in moral excellence. How and what will you apply to your faith today?

Daily Word

By which He has granted to us His precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. 2 Peter1:4. We are not absorbed into deity, and we do not become divine. However, we have received the Holy Spirit and are sons of God. Therefore we are being conformed to the likeness of Christ and the image of God in us is being renewed in true righteousness. How much effort are you applying to your escape?

Weekend Quote

If you have no joy in your religion, there is a leak in your Christianity somewhere. ~ Billy Sunday

Weekend Quote

Repentance and faith are our work. But we will not repent and believe unless God does His work to overcome our hard and rebellious hearts. This divine work is called regeneration. Our work is called conversion. ~ John Piper

Daily Word

His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and Godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us to His glory and excellence, 2 Peter 1:3. Knowledge of Him doesn’t come by way of “cheap faith”, and “surface Christianity” with cute little “pick me up” quotes that sound biblical but aren’t, or by listening to someone else teach the Word once a week. Those things that pertain to life and Godliness are found in His written Word for you to search out and apply…Who sets the standard of glory and excellence in your life…You or Christ?

Daily Word

May Grace and peace be multiplied in you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. 2 Peter 1:2. The knowledge of God and Jesus are connected because God is known savingly only in and through Jesus Christ. It appears more often than not that people today are more interested in experience and feelings than truth and obedience. “New Seasons” seem to come and go so fast the weather channel couldn’t even keep up. Knowledge of God and of Jesus can only be obtained through intimate fellowship. Dig a little deeper into His Word; pray a little longer today that His grace and peace be multiplied in you!

Daily Word

And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. 1 Peter 5:10. No matter what the occasion or need God bestows us help and strength that’s more than sufficient. We must remember that it is through our union with Christ that all blessings come, and His ultimate plan is to bring us to glory. If you’re so busy reflecting on the suffering…how can you recognize His restoration, confirmation, added strength, or what has been established in you?

From 2.29.12